1940 Marx "Gang Busters" Trap Door Target in Original Box
From the 5th and final sale of the famed Kaufman Collection comes this fantastic 1930's style illustrated tin litho, cardboard backed, target toy. Based on the famous radio drama Gang Busters it's copyrighted by Phillip H. Lord who was the producer and narrator for the radio series. It grades near mint+ to mint in box. This is only the 2nd example I've seen. The other was 7 years ago when I found the exact toy auctioned by Parke Bernet following the deaquisition of Marx factory samples in 1977. It features some really neat eye-popping, multicolored graphics. A pair of cops flank either side of the bulls-eye while below each cop are Public Enemies 1, 2, 3, and 4 (I've shown a close-up of #2). Each bad guy is fixed onto a hinged trap door that falls backward when hit (see below). Score points are revealed once the bad guy is displaced. The toy comes with both of its original upright steel support legs which are permanently fixed into a hinge on each end. Also included is the original black enameled, pressed steel, spring loaded revolver and all four rubber tipped wooden darts. The original Marx bag with schematic instructions for loading and firing is here as well. And of course its complete with it's huge, original text style box (which is huge) and plus both inserts. The box itself is complete with all 8 original endflaps. Size: Target 27" x 16". Pistol: 8". Sold: Apr. 2011
Price Sold: $ 172
